Perspectives

Jessica Rosenfeld in Arts & Sciences writes in The Conversation about “quarantine envy” and how comparisons during the COVID-19 pandemic might raise awareness of inequality and even drive social change.

This could get ugly. Just how ugly will be determined by the quality of election administration and the rhetoric of political leaders, writes Steven Smith about the upcoming presidential election.

Chancellor Andrew D. Martin reflects on his blog about this unprecedented season of life while remaining hopeful and grateful because of the strength of the Washington University community.

Healing starts with seeing these monuments as sites where both visible and invisible harms are actively perpetuated. If harm reduction and accountability are the goal, the statues should be removed immediately. This ought not be up for debate, writes Chelsey Carter.

In a time of quarantine – when comparisons often involve who has the best version of being alone – dwelling with envy can open our eyes to ourselves and the world, writes Jessica Rosenfeld.

And so the growing hope that builds as we draw closer to vaccine development should be tempered by the sobering thought that, while some will benefit, the gap between them and the people who are currently suffering disproportionately will continue to widen, writes Matifadza G. Hlatshwayo.

If Clearview AI were to get its way, the only winner would be Clearview AI. And our privacy, our free speech, and American industry as a whole will be the losers, writes Neil Richards.

Chancellor Andrew D. Martin writes on his blog about the process by which administrative leaders decide when the university will — or won’t — offer comments on matters of public policy. He said decisions are based on the mission of education, research and patient care as well as the WashU community’s interests.

Michal Grinstein-Weiss, director of the university’s Social Policy Institute, co-wrote an op-ed published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about the importance of keeping people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic — and how certain jobs, often those held by Black and Hispanic workers, are deemed “essential” and carry higher risks.

This episode of the “Show Me the Science” podcast highlights an effort led by Washington University scientists to use computing power from around the world to identify vulnerabilities in the coronavirus.